Puffin Express by RIB Speedboat from Reykjavík

Puffins are the stars here, and you can watch them close to Reykjavík without giving up half a day. The small RIB boat heads from the Old Harbour toward Lundey or Akurey, where puffins nest from May through August among rocky slopes and low hills.

I like the short one-hour format, which fits neatly into a Reykjavík sightseeing day, and the warm gear and suspension seats make the open-water ride easier to manage. Guide Celina has also been praised for her friendly teaching and lively commentary. The main consideration is speed: although this is a RIB tour, one report found the ride surprisingly slow, so you should book it for bird watching rather than thrills.

Key things to know before you book

• Puffin season runs from May through August, when Lundey and Akurey are used as nesting grounds.
• The boat visits Lundey or Akurey, depending on the route and conditions.
• You get warm overalls, gloves, goggles, and a life jacket, useful protection on Reykjavík’s cool, windy water.
• Groups are limited to 12 people, giving you a better chance of seeing the guide and shoreline.
• The tour lasts about one hour, including the ride from the Old Harbour and time near the islands.
• The $85.01 price is fair for a compact wildlife outing, though hotel pickup costs extra and food is not included.

Puffins only minutes from Reykjavík’s Old Harbour

This tour gives you a quick way to add wildlife to a city stay. You meet at Reykjavík by Boat, Ægisgarður 5F, in the downtown Old Harbour area, then get fitted with the supplied safety and cold-weather gear before boarding one of two RIB speedboats.

The setup is simple, but it matters. You are not expected to bring a full set of boating clothes, since warm overalls, gloves, goggles, and life jackets are included. The goggles help with wind and spray, while the overalls give you another layer between your ordinary sightseeing clothes and the cold air over the water.

The boats use suspension seats, a useful feature on a short ride over choppy water. You sit in a position designed for comfort and stability rather than lounging. The boat’s shape also lets the crew approach the rocky island edges more closely than a larger sightseeing vessel could.

The group limit is 12 people. That is small enough for a guide to speak to everyone, and it gives you a better chance of finding a clear view along the side of the boat. Still, this is an open boat experience. Your view can depend on where you sit, how crowded the boat is, and how active the birds are on the day.

Lundey or Akurey, the two bird islands near the city

The stated route is Lundey or Akurey, two small islands just offshore from Reykjavík. The exact island used for the outing can vary, so you should not book this expecting one fixed stop every time.

Both islands are known for puffins during the nesting season. From May through August, the birds use the rocky ground and slopes as breeding areas. You may see puffins close to the waterline, along the rocky shore, or farther up the island’s small hills.

The boat is designed to get near the shoreline without taking you onto the island. That is important for two reasons. First, you can see the birds from a low position on the water, which gives a more direct view than looking from a distant harbor boat. Second, the birds are left undisturbed on their nesting ground.

The islands are not developed attractions. There are no paths, buildings, cafés, or viewing platforms. You get a natural bird setting, but the experience is also dependent on weather, light, sea conditions, and animal behavior. Puffins may be easy to spot, but no short wildlife trip can promise that every bird will sit in the perfect place.

What you see beyond the puffins

The guide’s job is not simply to point at puffins. During the ride, you learn about the birds and the way they use the islands. You may also spot northern fulmars, gulls, Arctic terns, and other seabirds in the area.

That variety adds value to the hour. If you have already seen puffin photographs all over Iceland, the guide’s explanation helps turn the trip into more than a quick photo stop. You get some context about the nesting islands and the birds that share this part of the coast.

Guide Celina received especially warm praise for keeping the outing entertaining while explaining puffins, the Reykjavík area, and how the birds interact with their surroundings. Her style may matter more than you expect on a trip this short. A one-hour boat ride has little spare time, so a clear and engaging guide can make the difference between a lively nature outing and a simple ride past a rocky island.

The language of guidance is English. If you want a tour that combines a little natural science with your bird watching, this one is a better fit than a boat ride that offers only sightseeing.

The RIB ride: speed, spray, and a realistic expectation

The name Puffin Express suggests a fast trip, and the boats are powerful RIBs built for quick movement. You are given goggles, gloves, and a life jacket, so the operator clearly expects an open-water ride where wind and spray are part of the setting.

Still, you should set your expectations carefully. One person found the ride much slower than expected, despite the safety warnings and the equipment associated with a fast RIB. That person felt a regular small boat might have offered a similar pace.

I would treat this as a bird-watching trip with a boat transfer, not as a guaranteed speed adventure. The boat may move briskly when conditions allow, but the crew also needs to approach the birds carefully and operate safely near rocky shores. Weather, sea conditions, and the need to keep the boat stable beside the island can all affect the pace.

This is good news if you want a gentle introduction to the water. It is less appealing if your main reason for booking is a high-speed thrill. The suspension seats and protective clothing point to practical comfort, not a theme-park ride.

One hour that fits neatly into a Reykjavík day

The scheduled start time is 12:00 pm, and the full activity lasts about one hour. It ends back at the same Old Harbour meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a separate return from the islands.

That compact timing is one of the tour’s strongest features. You can fit it between city sights, use it as a midday break, or add it to a longer Reykjavík day without committing to a full afternoon. It also works well for people who want to see puffins but do not want a long excursion outside the capital.

The short duration has a tradeoff. You get a focused look at the islands, not a broad coastal cruise. If the water is rough, the boat needs time to reach the bird area, or the birds are spread out, the actual time watching puffins may feel limited.

You should arrive ready to board at the Old Harbour. Hotel transfers are not included, though they can be arranged for an additional fee of about 2,200 ISK. The meeting point is near public transportation, making it practical if you are staying in central Reykjavík.

Food and drinks are not included. For a one-hour tour, that is not a serious gap, but you may want to eat before or after, especially if you are building several activities into the same day.

Is $85.01 a fair price for this puffin trip?

At $85.01 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend an hour in Reykjavík, but the price includes more than a basic harbor cruise. You are paying for a small group, a RIB boat, protective clothing, a guide, and access to offshore nesting areas that you cannot reach on foot.

The group cap of 12 improves the value. A smaller boat can get close to the shore, and you are less likely to be separated from the guide’s explanation. The included warm gear also means you do not have to buy special clothing for a single outing.

The value is strongest for a first-time visitor who wants a simple puffin experience without renting a car or traveling to a distant bird colony. It is weaker if you are mainly seeking speed, a long boat ride, or a full wildlife expedition.

Hotel transfer costs extra, so budget for that if you are not staying near central Reykjavík or do not want to use public transportation. Since the tour returns to the same meeting point, arranging your own way there is usually the more economical choice when practical.

Weather, safety, and what to wear

The activity requires good weather. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. That policy is useful, but it also reminds you to avoid placing this tour at the very end of a tightly packed Iceland itinerary if seeing puffins is a top priority.

The supplied gear covers the main needs for the boat: warm overalls, gloves, goggles, and a life jacket. I would still wear comfortable clothing underneath and shoes suitable for boarding. The data provided does not specify footwear, so you should not assume that special boots are supplied.

The boat has suspension seats, but the ride can still feel exposed to wind and movement. If you are uneasy on open water, the slower pace reported by one person may be reassuring, while the RIB format and safety gear may make the outing feel more serious than a calm harbor cruise.

Most people can take part, and the maximum group size is 12. No special fitness requirement is given. The operator confirms your booking at the time of reservation, so you should have the meeting details before the day of the activity.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would recommend this outing to you if you want a close look at puffins but have limited time in Reykjavík. It is also a good match for anyone who likes short guided activities, small groups, and a bit of open-water excitement without spending an entire day away from the city.

Families and mixed-age groups may appreciate the one-hour length, though the supplied information does not list a specific minimum age. If you are booking for children, check the operator’s current age and safety requirements before paying.

Bird fans will get the most from the guide’s commentary and the chance to look for several seabird species, not only puffins. Photographers may like the low position near the rocky shore, but you should be ready for movement, wind, and changing light rather than a steady platform.

I would think twice if you want a guaranteed high-speed ride. The boat is a RIB, but the available feedback includes a clear complaint that the trip felt slow. I would also reconsider if your visit falls outside the May through August puffin season, since that is the period given for nesting on the islands.

Booking and cancellation details that matter

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted, and cancellations inside that window are not refunded.

The weather clause is separate and important. If the operator cancels because conditions are poor, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. Keep an eye on the forecast, but do not cancel early simply because Reykjavík looks gray. The final decision about weather cancellation belongs to the operator.

The tour begins and ends at Reykjavík by Boat, Ægisgarður 5F, 101 Reykjavík. It starts at noon and lasts about an hour. Since the activity returns to its starting point, you can plan your next city activity from the same central area.

Should you book the Puffin Express?

Book it if you want a short, well-organized puffin outing from Reykjavík and value warm gear, a small group, and a guide who explains more than the names of the birds. The chance to approach Lundey or Akurey by a low RIB boat makes this more personal than simply watching the coast from a large vessel.

Skip it if your priority is a fast ride or a long wildlife cruise. The $85.01 price is reasonable for a one-hour, small-group trip with equipment included, but its true value depends on what you want: close bird watching and easy city access, not an adrenaline rush.

For most visitors in Reykjavík during the May to August nesting season, I would consider it a sensible add-on, especially when time is tight. Just leave room for Icelandic weather to change the plan.

FAQ

Where does the Puffin Express tour start?

It starts at Reykjavík by Boat, Ægisgarður 5F, 101 Reykjavík, in the downtown Old Harbour area.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 12:00 pm.

How long does the tour last?

The activity lasts approximately one hour.

Which islands does the boat visit?

The boat travels to Lundey or Akurey, islands just off the coast of Reykjavík known for puffins.

When are puffins nesting on the islands?

Puffins nest on the islands from May through August.

What equipment is included?

Warm overalls, life jackets, gloves, goggles, and suspension seats are included.

Is hotel transportation included?

No. Hotel transfers are not included, but they may be available for an additional fee, typically about 2,200 ISK.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You can choose a different date or receive a full refund if the operator cancels because of poor weather.